NCJ Number
57671
Date Published
1979
Length
113 pages
Annotation
THIS REVIEW OF ADULT PROBATION MATERIAL FROM 150 DOCUMENTS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES DESCRIBES PROBATION AND SUSPENDED SENTENCING SYSTEMS, AND THEIR USE AND EFFECTIVENESS.
Abstract
PROBATION, INITIALLY USED IN AMERICA, NOW EXISTS IN 25 COUNTRIES. ITS OBJECTIVES ARE TO HELP AND TREAT AS WELL AS CONTROL OFFENDERS, A DUAL AND SOMETIMES CONFLICTING PURPOSE WHICH CAN POSE PROBLEMS FOR OFFICERS. PROBATION SERVICES AND STRUCTURES VARY FROM A FULLY PROFESSIONAL STATE ORGANIZATION (E.G., GREAT BRITAIN AND INDIA) TO A CENTRALIZED BUT MIXED SYSTEM EMPLOYING BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTEERS (E.G., JAPAN AND SWEDEN). A THIRD STRUCTURE INVOLVES A JUDICIAL COMMITTEE (E.G., BELGIUM AND FRANCE) WHERE A CLEAR DIVISION OF LABOR EXISTS BETWEEN THE JUDGE, CONTROL AGENTS, SOCIAL ASSISTANTS, AND VOLUNTEERS. SOME COUNTRIES USE A SYSTEM OF DEFERRED OR SUSPENDED SENTENCING (E.G., FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF WEST GERMANY, SOVIET UNION, AND AUSTRIA) WHICH ENABLES THE SENTENCING DECISION TO BE POSTPONED PENDING SOME CHANGE OR ACTION ON THE DEFENDANT'S PART. USUALLY SOME RESTRICTION OR CONDITIONS ARE INVOLVED. THIS DOCUMENT DESCRIBES THE VARIOUS APPROACHES TO PROBATION, ATTITUDES TOWARDS PROBATION, THE THRUST OF PROBATION PROGRAMS IN THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES, EFFECTIVENESS OF THE USE OF PROBATION, AND SPECIAL AND INNOVATIVE MODES IN PROBATION. IT ALSO EXAMINES LEGAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXTS OF USE OF SUSPENDED SENTENCE PROVISIONS, VARIATIONS IN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SUSPENDED SENTENCES, AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND USE. PROBATION SERVICES APPEAR TO BE MOVING TOWARDS MORE CLIENT-CENTERED ACTIVITY ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, AND THE USE OF PROBATION AND ITS APPROACH TEND TO PARALLEL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WHEN PROBATION FAILS, IT IS GENERALLY DUE TO POOR SOCIAL SKILLS, LACK OF EDUCATION OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND OTHER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEPRIVATIONS OF BOTH STAFF AND OFFENDERS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.